Who is this choice for?

Parents who care about texture

You’re preparing a meal for a child who finds certain textures difficult and are looking for a sauce base to suit a recipe they already know.

People who check ingredients

You need to check the ingredients of the product you choose, particularly if your child needs to avoid dairy. The name ‘coconut milk’ is no substitute for reading the label.

People looking to minimise leftovers

You’re trying a small recipe and want a pack size that suits the amount you’ll use, especially if you’re not yet sure whether your child will like the dish.

What should you look for?

First, decide whether your recipe calls for a coconut sauce or cheese. Then, when comparing coconut milks, consider the ingredients and how much the dish needs.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Texture and taste Compare the coconut extract percentage and fat content, using the same unit as shown on the label: per 100 ml or per 100 g. If I’m making a sauce for a child who is sensitive to texture or taste, I want to choose a product to try in a recipe they know. Around 42% of consumers would make this the main priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product. Don’t assume you know what it contains from the name alone. If my child needs to avoid dairy, I need to check the label before using a new ingredient. Around 33% of consumers would put this first.
Pack size and leftovers Check the volume, whether it has a resealable cap and how to store it after opening. When trying a small recipe, I’d rather choose an amount I can use without leaving most of the pack over. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming coconut milk and grated cheese are interchangeable

    Carrefour lists coconut milk under plant-based cooking ingredients and grated cheese under dairy products for cooking. You can’t infer one product’s role in a dish or its ingredients from the other.

    Before choosing, check whether your recipe calls for a sauce base or cheese to sprinkle or melt.

  • Assuming all coconut milk has the same ingredients

    The ingredient lists for the Suzi Wan, Kara Light and Carrefour Sensation products featured by Carrefour don’t mention milk. That doesn’t tell you what’s in another product.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, even if you’ve bought it before.

  • Choosing based only on pack size

    A pack size that suits your recipe can help reduce leftovers, but the volume doesn’t tell you the percentage of coconut extract or the fat content.

    Compare these details on the label and check the storage instructions for after opening.

Brands and products to know

These examples refer to specific products described on Carrefour’s product pages, not to every product from each brand.

Suzi Wan

This culinary coconut milk comes in a 330 ml carton.

  • Its product page states that it contains 64% coconut extract and has a resealable cap.
  • To store any leftovers, follow the instructions on the carton after opening.

Kara

The Light version is a coconut milk sold in a 200 ml carton.

  • Its product page states that it contains 13 g of fat per 100 ml. Compare this with other products using the same unit.
  • This figure alone doesn’t tell you what texture you’ll get in your recipe.

Carrefour Sensation

This sterilised coconut milk comes in a 400 ml can.

  • Its product page states that it contains 85% coconut extract and 18 g of fat per 100 g.
  • These details won’t tell you whether your child will enjoy the finished dish.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does coconut milk always contain cow’s milk?

No. The ingredient lists for the Suzi Wan, Kara Light and Carrefour Sensation products featured by Carrefour don’t mention milk. Even so, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying rather than assuming this applies to all coconut milk.

How do I compare two coconut milks in different pack sizes?

Compare the fat content on the same basis, per 100 ml or per 100 g as stated on the label, and check the percentage of coconut extract where this is given. The French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out that nutritional values are given per 100 g or 100 ml to make comparisons easier. Separately, consider how much your recipe needs.

Can I use coconut milk instead of grated cheese?

Not as a like-for-like replacement. For a coconut sauce, choose culinary coconut milk. If your recipe calls for cheese to sprinkle or melt, look for a product suited to that purpose. Carrefour also lists these two products in separate categories: plant-based cooking ingredients and dairy products for cooking.